Alex conducted research on red squirrels for his Honours degree in the Bachelor of Natural Resource Science undergraduate program.  Specifically, he examined overwinter survival and changes in body condition in a subset of red squirrels occupying low-elevation Douglas-fir stands.   With mild temperatures now predominating over much of the winter, and snow accumulation being limited,  the ability of squirrels to rely on hoarded Douglas-fir cones may be strained.  Alex was particularly interested in monitoring the activity and foraging behaviour of the animals during the intense but short cold ‘snaps’ that occur during winter.